Ok guys so I bought this mare the 2nd of Augest and she was great, really green but great. I started school about 3 weeks after I got her and I brought her down to school with me for my riding class. Well she was fine for about a month and then started acting up. She wouldn't move off my leg, and would just start kicking out and backing up. My instructor advised me to bring her home and get her checked for an ovarian cyst or some type of hormonal issue, which I did and nothing is wrong with her there. But the vet did find a "sore" spot on her left side but he couldnt find any signs of injury. He told me to give her 2 weeks off and see what happens so I did and she still doesn't like being touched there, but from her body language I find it being more of a spot that she just doesn't like being touched instead of being sore there. I'm not quite sure what to do with her. I want to be able to sell her but I absolutely will not with the way she is being. I'm going to be working on her showmanship and halter and hopefully get back on her and start working her under saddle again. Does anyone have any advice, options, or ideas of why she may be acting this way. Oh by the way she is a 4 coming 5 yo registered breeding stock paint. Broke out as a 3yo, mostly ridden in an arena and a little on the trails. Thanks so much! 

 Get a second opinion.  There is a reason she doesn't want that spot touched -- where is it?  There can be other things going on too -- sometimes when green horses are overfaced, they just shut down.  But it does sound like a pain/discomfort issue in her case, and I would keep digging.  A nerve problem?  Out of alignment?

Possibly I'm thinking about just bringing her back to the basics and just taking it slow with her, maybe she feels overwhelmed? I'm going to look into Chiropractors and see if I can get one out if I can get the money. Thanks for the reply and i will deffinatly keep looking into it and I'm not going to sell her until her problem is resolved. oh her spot is on her left side by her flank like as you are reaching back to her teats

Heather:

oh her spot is on her left side by her flank like as you are reaching back to her teats

Who do you advise I go to? Another Vet or where else would I go? I really want to figure this out so that she can be happy and can start moving on.

 I would get a few move vet opinions, and even some peope with strong horse backgrounds (ie, people with knowledge in 'old remedies' and that sort of thing)  

Is it as you are reaching under, like you are going to grab at her teats, or just in the general area?  How long has it been going on, and is it getting worse?  Could she have been bred at a young age? I have heard of some mares that were bred too young and can react strongly.

If you can, I would consult with another vet.  Do you have a diagnostic center near you?  I.e. a place that does equine imaging?  I am no expert on what types of things that area of pain could indicate, but perhaps an ultrasound could help?  I would first try to talk to your current vet, explain to him that you feel strongly that she is experiencing pain or sensitivity associated with this and what are other diagnostic options?  If they are not open to helping you, then start calling other vets.

I haven't tried to touch the area lately as I've been busy with school but I know she has gotten better since I brought her home. When she was brought to the vet he did an ultrasound and looked at her reproductive tract and found nothing wrong. I know for a fact that she hasn't been bred, I bought her from the people who bred her mother, and they've owned her since she was born and did everything with her. She reacts just with any touching on the underside on her left side from where a back cinch would be back to her teats. I'm thinking the closest place that would do a diagnostic imaging would be U of I.

I had to take my horse down to U of I for surgery, after the vet exhausted all that he could do for his canker. They were just wonderful with him! They even let my mini (his BF) stay down there with him the 2 weeks of recovery, and asked what his favorite treats were...starlight mints of course!....

I would definitely rule out all and any health issues before proceeding.  If she truly is just touchy, you'll need to sack her out.

I would start with a stick of some sort.  Stand at a 45 degree angle to her shoulder, so that she can't strike or kick you, or run over the top of you, and begin rubbing the touchy spot with the stick.  As soon as she responds by relaxing (you'll see her lick her lips, *** a hind leg, sigh, blink her eyes, and/or lower her head and neck) remove the stick and start rubbing her at a spot that she enjoys, or at least doesn't mind.  Then repeat.  Continue repeating until you can rub her in her touchy spot with the stick at any given time and she'll stand relaxed.

Proceed by rubbing her with your hand, using the same approach and retreat methods and being careful to stay out of kicking range (or stay close enough to her so that if she kicks, it will just be a push and you won't get hurt).  Once she's comfortable with that, start patting her all over, starting at her withers and back, and when she's relaxed, going down her hindquarters, then back up her neck, then over her side and flank, and finally her stomach.  Wait until she's relaxed before proceeding to a new spot.  And always stay out of kicking and striking range.

With repetition, and if she has no health issues, this should work.  I would also avoid using spurs on her at least initially, until she seems to be over her problems.

Hope this helps!

I would start from the basics from a health care standard. Whenever I get a horse in training that I am having problems with I make sure to check out all the basics.

How do her hooves look?

Skin/coat condition? Weight?

Has she been seen by a chiropractor? If shes touchy on one side or one spot it could be connected to something else chiropractically.

Has she had her teeth done recently? If she is just coming 5 she will have just had her very last teeth erupt and they are very sharp to break through the skin.

Normally that takes care of all my issues with horses in training not wanting to work. Once you get all that addressed and if it didnt help then start looking for something else. Get another opinion. And it may be she just figured out how to get out of work with you.

Good luck

If you can touch her everywhere else and she is fine - you have a problem - if she is trying to do what is asked - until that area is threaten. You have a problem -  Now to find out if the problem is behaviour or medical?

I would have the Vet make her sleepy and start messing around the area - to me she was broke way to young - I do not believe it because she foaled too young.

It is possible she has a mass, possible from an old injury. She could of been kicked by a horse or stab at one point by a stick, there might be an abcess.

Either way in order to treat it you must be able to have her trust - it sounds like she is insulted -

It is possible tick, bot or some other creature might be lurking - it could be as weird as something in her flank up inside leg area and she is being over caution - I am sure you have checked your tack -

One thing horses have a hard time telling you were exactly it hurts because they will over shoot the area - but she is talking to you!

you can also try Calcium Powder - if you feel it is her tummy or diet

One of those things I would have to see (like any Vet).